ISIS Claims Suicide Bombing at Shiite Mosque in Islamabad, Killing 31 and Injuring Nearly 170

On February 7, BBC reported that the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed through Telegram that its network in Pakistan was behind the mosque bombing in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, during Friday evening prayers on February 6. The attack killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others. Police said the suicide bomber approached the Shiite mosque's door in the Tarlay area, with witnesses reporting gunshots before the explosion. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and expressed deep sympathy for the victims' families. President Asif Ali Zardari stated that attacking innocent civilians is a crime against humanity. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused India and Afghanistan of being behind the attack, claiming the attackers traveled to and from Afghanistan. The Taliban government of Afghanistan called Asif's statements regrettable, criticizing the quick accusation without credible evidence.